Up to a third of sperm donors in UK 'are foreigners'

Melbourne, Nov 14 : Almost a third of sperm donors in Britain are foreigners with a majority of Australian backpackers, who want to earn money to support their travels, according to new report.

Up to a third of sperm donors in London fertility clinics are now foreigners and many are visitors from Down Under. One of the biggest clinics, the Bridge Centre, confirmed Australian backpackers were becoming donors to earn money to support their travels.

The Australian men in the UK are among the biggest sperm donors in London.

"What you get with the 'grand tour' is very enterprising people who look at every single way of making a buck," the Daily Telegraph quoted spokesman Tim Mott, as saying.

With an official report yesterday warning that donor numbers in Britain were falling, London fertility clinics hope that visitors from Down Under will lend a hand.

A British Fertility Society report yesterday showed there was a 40 per cent drop in new donors between 1991 (503 donors) to 2006 (296 donors).

"We need them. We need that winning spirit and we need left-handed batsmen so we're hoping that's in the gene set," said Mott.

"If you're on the grand tour and you're spending 12 months in the UK, here's something you can do to make a bit of extra money.

"They should have it on the same 'to do list' as going to the rugby at Twickenham.

"It's a good cause and if we get enough Australian donors you could end up colonising the UK instead of the other way round," he added.

Mott said fertility clinics could offer donors limited reimbursement for time lost at work and travel expenses. For 20 visits over the course of several months, the payments can add up to 500 pounds.

ANI